Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Environment Society of India at CSIO Auditorium, Sector-30, Chandigarh
Smt Mitra Ghosh Ji, First Lady of Haryana
Prof Shantanu Bhattacharya Ji, Director CSIR-CSIO
Prof Renu Vig, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University
Shri DK Behera Ji, IAS, My Secretary
Shri Praveen Ramdas Ji, National Joint Organizing Secretary, Vigyan Bharti
Prof Satish Kumar Ji, Chief Scientist CSIR-CSIO
Dr Sanjeev Khosla Ji, Director, CSIR-IMTECH, Chandigarh
Representative from VIBHA, Distinguished Scientists, Respected Teachers, Dear Students, Esteemed Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Namaskar!
It is my privilege to stand before you at the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, one of India’s most respected laboratories and a true symbol of our nation’s scientific strength.
We have gathered today for a special occasion—the Curtain Raiser of the India International Science Festival-2025. The atmosphere here, filled with curiosity and enthusiasm, reflects the very spirit of scientific progress.
I express my sincere thanks to Director Prof Shantanu Bhattacharya for inviting me to preside over this important event.
Dear Friends,
Before we speak about today’s theme, it is important to recall what the India International Science Festival truly represents.
Established in 2015 through the combined efforts of the Ministry of Science & Technology, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Vijnana Bharati, IISF was envisioned as a national celebration of science.
Since its inaugural edition at IIT Delhi, it has grown into one of the world’s largest science outreach platforms. Its mission has always been to promote scientific temper, encourage innovation, and bring science and society closer. IISF takes science beyond laboratories and transforms it into a lived experience for people of all backgrounds.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As the name suggests, IISF is indeed a festival—joyful, inclusive and participatory. Through exhibitions, hands-on experiments, theatre, demonstrations, rural outreach, innovation showcases and student-led projects, the festival makes scientific learning engaging and exciting. It invites students, farmers, homemakers, artisans, young professionals and senior citizens to explore the wonders of science together.
The deeper significance of IISF lies in its potential to become a mass movement for scientific awareness. Our civilizational wisdom has always valued knowledge.
According to an ancient Sanskrit shloka, knowledge is the greatest form of wealth, subtle and secure, and it accompanies a person everywhere.
In today’s rapidly advancing world, cultivating a scientific mindset is essential for national progress.
IISF supports this by taking science to rural communities, empowering women scientists, encouraging startups and aligning its initiatives with national missions such as Digital India, Make in India, Swachh Bharat, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Dear All,
This year’s theme “Vigyan Se Samruddhi: For Aatmanirbhar Bharat” reminds us that true prosperity emerges when scientific knowledge is transformed into innovation and technology that improves lives.
Institutions like CSIR–CSIO are central to this vision. For decades, CSIO has strengthened India’s leadership through critical instrumentation, sensors, photonics, automation systems, medical devices, and indigenous technologies that serve industry, healthcare and national security.
To the students present here, I say: You are the future torchbearers of this scientific legacy. Let noble thoughts inspire you from all directions, and let curiosity guide your journey.
As we begin the road to IISF 2025, let us collectively broaden scientific awareness and nurture innovation across the nation.
Jai Vigyan! Jai Hind!